Enjoying a Routine + WIAW

June 18, 2014 By Laura

I crave a routine.

This is shocking news, even to me..

It’s not that I mind change. I’m actually quite flexible! #TWSS

What I like is some calm after a storm, however that rockin’ boat may have been. I’m back in the office this week after more travels, back in my “home” gym, and back on a *gasp* meal plan. It feels good.

Other things that feel good include a really nice vendor. My boss has been working with these people for a while, but they sent me a little gift for joining the team. How sweet is this?!

Other awesome things: boss-man told me yesterday “I’m glad you’re here.” *grin*

This WIAW is back to normal. For real this time. No more travels ’til this girl’s show mid-July!

Read on for my normal (for me) eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!…

Blend Your [Growing Naturals] Protein

June 6, 2014 By Laura

My Blends are Strange.

But oh-so-good.

Today I am in Utah for the annual Blend Retreat! I look forward to this retreat all year… and I feel especially lucky because I get to represent Growing Naturals again this year. I wish I could share them with everyone (but scroll on down for a sweet freebie offer). You should all come to Blend next year! If you can’t be there this year, be sure to follow along on Twitter and Instagram for the live action.

Last year they were a huge hit with the other bloggin’ ladies, but here are a few reasons I personally love them:

Reasons I love Growing Naturals:

Not chalky
Great flavor (not fake-tasting)
Super-clean (vegan, soy-free, and gluten-free!)
Low in sodium, sugar, and carbs
Their staff rocks – they are passionate about their product and committed to health!

Growing Naturals truly is my favorite protein to use. I love to use it in all the things! It’s fantastic raw in smoothies like my favorite Mocha Beet Frapp and Carrot Cake Batter Shake, or baked into Plantain Ginger Bread.

Rather than one of my own #strangebutgood creations this week, I wanted to feature some favorites from my Blends who use Growing Naturals!

My “original” Blend, Sarah, is the first blogger I met in real life. We will miss her this year, but will celebrate her strangeness today with her Strawberry Pineapple Cilantro Smoothie:

Strange creation #2 comes from a Blend who I basically invited myself to visit… having never met her… in Switzerland!

Lucie is one amazing woman. I wish she could make it to Blend, but I guess coming from Europe would be a little pricey. Instead, we should all make her Green Protein Pancakes in her honor! 😉

Last (but certainly not least) is a Blend I will get to see tonight! My brother from another mother, Lindsay!

This lady knows more about fueling with food and gut health than anyone I know. I’m so glad she’s agree to share 3 strange but healthy recipes today!

Grain-Free Superfruit Bread

Orange Dream Machine Smoothie

Mexican Chocolate & Walnut Healthy Balls… errr… Bites

I have made these, only I subbed sunflower seeds for the walnuts. They rocked my balls off.

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How have you enjoyed making co-workers, friends, or family stare with strange but good creations this week? The link up rules can be found here or by clicking on “Strange But Good” in the menu bar above. In short, I want to see what concoctions have earned you weird looks from co-workers, family and friends! Post your Strange But Good creations, grab the logo below for your blog, and link up here.

If you’re not a blogger, you can still share your recipes on Instagram with the #strangebutgood hashtag.

Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂

An InLinkz Link-up

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Want to try Growing Naturals for yourself? Sign up to be a Growing Groupie and enter discount code sprint2thetable at checkout for a free bottle of Simply Soapberry (their natural laundry detergent) and a free 1lb container of protein powder. Offer expires 09/06/2014.

What is your favorite protein powder recipe?

What was the last recipe you tried from a Blend? (Blend = Blogger + Friend)

Healthy Jicama Latkes

May 16, 2014 By Laura

Latkes.

They’re not just for Hanukkah anymore!

Latkes are usually made with potatoes and are a traditional dish eaten during Hanukkah. They’re also known as potato pancakes. If you know me, you know I don’t like white potatoes and I’m not Jewish (though I adore matzo ball soup). Also, it’s nowhere near Hanukkah. Clearly a strange but good hack was needed… Healthy Jicama Latkes!

Never one to be bothered with tradition, I was determined not to let these little details derail me from an idea. I wanted to use jicama and carrot to make latkes.

So really, these are just jicama and carrot pancakes… with a Mexican twist. Why Mexican? Why NOT? I love Mexican food!

Call it whatever you’d like, but these ‘cakes will have you celebrating Hanukkah in May.

The bonus is that they’re a bit healthier than the traditional dish. They aren’t fried in a ton of oil and are less starch-y than a latke. They cover all the buzz words: gluten-free, grain-free, paleo-friendly, vegetarian. And they’re strangely easy!

Jicama Latkes

1/2 jicama (~150 grams)
1 medium carrot
1/4 C egg whites
1/2 tsp Mexican spice blend

Grate jicama and carrot coarsely by hand. Squeeze excess water. Mix in a bowl with egg whites and your favorite spice blend.

Heat a bit or coconut oil or cooking spray in pan over medium heat. Divide latke batter into 4 even parts and press into pan as a pancake. Cook ~5 minutes on each side, or until latkes are lightly browned.

Plate and top as desired. I served mine over greens and turkey, then topped it with salsa and avocado.

Makes 4 latkes.

Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂

An InLinkz Link-up

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I’m not home yet, but I’ll be making these again when I get there… especially after all the Swiss treats… #sorryimnotsorry

Have you ever had a latke?

What is your favorite healthy hack for a traditional recipe?

Change Is Good + WIAW

April 30, 2014 By Laura

Change is inevitable.

Except from vending machines.

One of my favorite policies it to change something that isn’t working. If you aren’t happy, make a change. Don’t sit around in a puddle of mud complaining about how dirty you are. That knight in shining armor isn’t going to show up on a unicorn and rescue you.

Incidentally, my unicorn name is Helleborine Cheeky Rump.

I realized my job wasn’t the right one for me… so I’m making a change! More on that to come. In the meantime, I’m taking a little break. The best kind of break – I’ll be traveling to Switzerland next week! The wonderful Lucie has offered to be my guide. I am SO EXCITED to meet her in person and have some adventures. She’s already living up to her blog name (Fit Swiss Chick) – we’re booked for hiking, running, and cross fit!

Naturally, I needed to make some purchases for my travels. DSW and TJ Maxx are full of deals right now… I probably spent too much but think of how much I saved! LOL!

This WIAW is week 3 working through my intolerances per my Alcat test. I’ve been pretty good about it and still happy with the results… but I’m not going to Switzerland without eating cheese. #sorryimnotsorry

Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!…

Strange But Good Trials

April 25, 2014 By Laura

I have some strange friends.

In the most delicious sense of the word.

One of my favorite things about #strangebutgood every week is all of the fun ideas I get from all of the link ups. I pin them to the #strangebutgood board for safe keeping until I can make them. Last week’s links were so good I’ve already tried two!

Exhibit A

Arman’s Sea Salt Dark Chocolate ~~Waffles~~ Pancakes. I basically followed his recipe, except I reduced the milk so they would work as pancakes and I replace the sugar with Xylitol. They were the fluffiest rounds of deliciousness I’ve made in a while!

My topping was peanut flour sauce (peanut flour + stevia + coconut milk) and the following strange creation…

Exhibit B

Christa’s Chocolate Maca Hemp Seed Spread has been my topping of choice lately. It was so easy! I just dumped everything in my Vitamix and blended away. I left mine a little chunkier than Christa – I’m a fan of crunchy nut butters, so I thought this should be similarly treated.

I couldn’t decide if I wanted chocolate spread or a little #yolkporn atop my protein pancakes yesterday. So I had both.

Other things this is good on: ice cream, protein bowls, apple slices, carrots, sweet potatoes… your finger…

Then there’s the honor of having someone actually brave MY #strangebutgood recipes! Both Megan and Heather braved my Creamy (Raw) Red Pepper Soup and gave it the Instagram post of approval!

Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂

An InLinkz Link-up

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Speaking of strange… I’m headed to a crawfish boil tonight. Those little bugs creep me out!

Have you made any #strangebutgood recipes?

What is your favorite thing to top with a seed/nut butter?

Gut Health Supplements + WIAW

April 23, 2014 By Laura

I’m learning to accept help.

At least when it comes to my gut.

After learning the results of my Alcat food intolerance test, I was determined to do whatever it took to fix it. With Megan’s help, I immediately eliminated the foods I’d developed intolerances to.

Then I accepted help from a couple of friends that know a LOT about digestive health: Lindsay and Brittany. They suggested a few supplements to further help my intolerant tummy.

For a little more education, check out Lindsay’s post here. After doing some of my own research, I decided to take the following.

My Gut Health Supplements

Aloe Vera Juice – Aloe is a detoxifier and an anti-inflammatory; it soothes the digestive tract and decreases the amount of unfriendly bacteria in your gut which keeps intestinal flora in balance
Stress B-Complex – The B’s help to regulate adrenals, helping the body deal with stress (which has a huge impact on digestion)
Matcha – Aside from the fact that I like the taste, matcha is a detoxifier and helps with relaxation
Betaine HCL – Good for the producing the acid needed for breaking down foods and optimizing use of nutrients
Probiotics – Regulates the healthy bacteria in the gut (and the lady parts)
Colostrum – Antibodies from cows (vegans, cover you ears).… it’s touted as a “super food.” It protects the gut, helps the body to maintain proper metabolic levels, may have anti-aging benefits and increase muscle mass and muscle growth, and has been reported to have mental health and sleep-quality benefits. Further reading said it even shortens recovery time from strenuous exercise. If it works… whoa.

I ordered all of these from iHerb (where I also get my peanut four). Use discount code USO924 for $5-10 off your order!

This WIAW is week 2 with my food intolerances eliminated from my diet. I know I’ve slipped up a couple of times (I’m only human… a sad realization), but I’m militantly avoided everything in the most severe category.

Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!…

Sriracha Grapefruit Salmon

April 21, 2014 By Laura

Who needs TV when you have Whole Foods?

Yes, I grocery shop for entertainment.

I had no need to be at Whole Foods last Saturday… but the salmon was on sale for $11.99 a pound. Who am I to turn down a good price on salmon? A pretty pink slab of fish in hand, I noticed the shrimp. I almost passed it up because it had the shell and the tail, but the awesome fish guy said they’d steam and shell it for me while I shopped!

This isn’t about the shrimp (but did you know they’d do that?!).

…

Protein Lessons + WIAW

April 9, 2014 By Laura

Learning lessons is a theme in my life lately.

Some I’d rather not learn, but that’s another story.

Despite having done this cleanse 3 times before, I’m learning a whole new lesson with this one. It’s about protein. I had NO idea how much energy and strength I was getting from all the protein I took in! The first 10 days of the cleanse are meat-free. It also eliminates common allergens, so I can’t even replace that protein with soy, dairy or eggs.

I have a delicious, clean pea protein powder from Growing Naturals that accounts for most of my intake. I also have some from quinoa, lentils, and seeds… but that’s really not much. With the “rules” of the cleanse, I end up eating about half my normal amount of protein and twice the carbs. Carbs give energy, right? Notsomuch. I’m tired. I’m sleeping more and having to lift lighter. Apparently carbs give energy when you have enough protein.

I did get through my back and tri workout. Fueled by dates and tahini, I took a moment to twerk in the empty squat rack for Arman and Lucie. Refueled with a protein smoothie made with strawberries, raspberries, basil, coconut, and spinach.

Lesson two is hunger. I’m a bottomless veggie pit. I eat stacks of vegetables (and fruit), but they don’t have the same staying power that protein does. Kudos to the vegan body builders out there… I have no idea how they do it!

Curious about protein? Click here for a piece I wrote for Growing Naturals on the importance of protein before and after a workout. And then check out these 30 High Protein Breakfasts from many of my FitFluential friends!

This WIAW is the end of my first week on the 21 day cleanse. I’m definitely in a good groove, but anxious to add some lean protein in on Friday!

Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!…

Enjoying a Routine + WIAW

Blend Your [Growing Naturals] Protein

Reasons I love Growing Naturals:

Healthy Jicama Latkes

Jicama Latkes

Change Is Good + WIAW

Strange But Good Trials

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Gut Health Supplements + WIAW

My Gut Health Supplements

Sriracha Grapefruit Salmon

Protein Lessons + WIAW

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